句. More than one word in a row. In linguistics, this term is used for a string of words that forms a syntactic constituent, generally with a head and zero or more dependents, above the word level but below the clause level. However, on this site, the tag is used with the simple definition non-linguists are more likely to be familiar with; linguists can understand this definition as "strings of more than one word".
Questions tagged [phrases]
377 questions
48
votes
2 answers
How does the の work in 「日本人の知らない日本語」?
I've read that 日本人の知らない日本語 translates to: "Japanese (language) that Japanese (people) don't know". But I don't understand how or what the の does in that sentence. If I'm not mistaken 知らない日本語 could mean "Japanese language that (x) don't know" or…
dotnetN00b
- 6,686
- 7
- 52
- 94
30
votes
2 answers
What is the difference between "verb＋て＋みる" and "verb＋(よ)う+とする"?
In Japanese there are words which mean "to try something or attempt at doing something", e.g. 試す, 試みる and つとめる.
However, at the same time we also have two grammatical constructions "verb＋て＋みる" and "verb＋(よ)う＋とする".
In English we just say "try (to do)…
quantum231
- 1,163
- 3
- 14
- 19
22
votes
1 answer
Getting your haircut in Japan
I have been living in Japan now for the last 3 months and my hair is starting to look like it needs a cut.
But I have never been to a Japanese barbers before so as you can imagine I am a little nervous about it.
I have a couple of questions about…
Lucas
- 745
- 1
- 6
- 10
17
votes
1 answer
What is the literal meaning of どういたしまして?
どういたしまして 【どう致しまして · 如何致しまして】
you are welcome; don't mention it; not at all; my pleasure; —Usually written using kana alone.
「手伝ってくれてありがとう」「どういたしまして」 "Thank you for your help." "It's my pleasure."
「ありがとうご座います」「どう致しまして」 "Thank you." "You are…
yadokari
- 10,271
- 6
- 45
- 87
15
votes
5 answers
How would a fluent speaker understand ありがとうございません?
How could that forced negation of a common phrase be interpreted?
This came up as just a part of some free exploration of linguistics, and my friends and I were pondering if it could perhaps be understood as something akin to the English phrase…
JoonasD6
- 251
- 2
- 3
15
votes
5 answers
My Japanese is rusty
While it sounds perfectly alright when said in English, as in "My English is rusty", is there an equivalent in Japanese language?
I have used this line before when I said "私の日本語は錆びている" and "私の日本語は錆びっちゃっている" but only to be met with silence from the…
Himawari
- 193
- 2
- 7
13
votes
2 answers
Break down the phrase "[失礼]{しつれい}しなければならないんです"
I've just heard the phrase [失礼]{しつれい}しなければならないんです (shitsurei shinakereba naranaindesu) used as Excuse me, I have to leave.
The explanation said it literally translates to If I don't leave, it won't do,
but I need help on breaking it down…
kaqqao
- 233
- 1
- 7
13
votes
4 answers
Counter for chopsticks
Just curious about this one. I'm never sure what to say when I ask for chopsticks in Japanese. I know that "by-the-book", you can count them with ～そろい （揃い) or ～ぜん （膳）. So I always say 「お箸を 一揃い（ひとそろい）／一膳（いちぜん） お願いします。」 to ask for a pair. But as…
istrasci
- 43,365
- 4
- 104
- 251
12
votes
1 answer
How would you say "x says hi" in Japanese?
I've given this some thought but due to both my lack of knowledge in Japanese (still studying atm, although in Japan for a year so that should improve) and just not being able to come up with anything that sounds right with what I do know, I'm not…
Reveiller
- 819
- 6
- 15
11
votes
3 answers
Can のほうが be omitted when answering a question?
So when people are doing comparisons, do you use のほうが colloquially or even in text? I've seen AとBとどちらのほうが速いですか？ and also AとBとどちらが速いですか？
And the answers be:
AのほうがBより速いです。
AはBより速いです。
Aのほうが速いです。
But I wonder if normal colloquial Japanese…
dotnetN00b
- 6,686
- 7
- 52
- 94
10
votes
3 answers
How to say "To clarify, ...?" in Japanese?
How do I say, for example, the following sentence/question: "To clarify, breakfast is at 7:00am?"
I know that 明らめる and 明らかにする both have the meaning "to clarify". But I do not know if there is a more natural set phrase to use.
Also, I actually do not…
Denis Li
- 477
- 2
- 11
9
votes
1 answer
What does 「生き残る目」 mean in this sentence?
I came across this sentence while reading 下町ロケット.
「ウチで密かに調べてみましたが、佃製作所はいま、資金調達すらままならない苦境にあるそうです。どう転んだところで、佃製作所に生き残る目はありませんよ。それにですねーーー」
The most obvious interpretation for me was,
We searched from our end and Tsukuda Works is having problems…
vadasambar
- 1,435
- 10
- 21
9
votes
2 answers
How would one express an opinion from the perspective of an inclusive group?
Often times, it is common for a speaker to make an assertion or opinion based upon a (ethnic or social) group to which they belong. In English it is common to use prefixes like "we" or "us" to indicate this. For example:
We Americans love…
Miguel
- 2,398
- 1
- 22
- 30
9
votes
4 answers
Is it possible to distinguish between 'cannot'/'does not' and 'will not'?
As practice I have been alternately translating short bits of writing both from Japanese to English and from English to Japanese. When most recently attempting the latter, it occurred to me that I have never (that I can recall) seen a way to specify…
P...
- 195
- 1
- 6
9
votes
1 answer
Japanese term for weight gained in a loving relationship?
I came across this phrase in reading a few weeks ago, and can't for the life of me find the note I made on it.
It refers to plumpness in a positive sense, reaching a comfortable state of gained weight that you only find after a while in a really…
araihada
- 108
- 1
- 5